Sunday 29 November 2015 16:12, UK
Victoria Pendleton failed to complete on her first competitive ride over fences after Minella Theatre was pulled up in a point-to-point at Black Forest Lodge, but was still said to be 'delighted' with the experience.
Trainer Alan Hill delayed a decision on whether the 12-year-old gelding, who had long been earmarked as Pendleton's chosen mount, would run at Black Forest Lodge in Devon or Cottenham in Cambridgeshire until Sunday morning.
And though Minella Theatre jumped well for a long way in the Black Forest Club Members race over three miles, clerk of the course Norman Chanin said Pendleton pulled up Hill's inmate two fences from home.
The race was won by favourite Jepeck.
Pendleton announced earlier this year she was targeting a ride in the Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Having spent the summer working with trainer Lawney Hill and her husband Alan, Pendleton has ridden in three amateur Flat events - going close to winning at Ripon - but has now turned her attention to racing over obstacles.
Barry Orr, spokesman for Betfair, who are supporting Pendleton's 'Switching Saddles' challenge, said: "It went very well. They jumped off mid-division, got a good sight of the fences.
"I think she was very pleased with the way the race unfolded. The horse just got a little bit tired out in the country and she pulled up a few fences from home.
"Horse and rider came home safe. Very happy with that for her first attempt at a point-to-point. She was delighted with it.
"They will now look to build on that."
Hill was happy with the way the double Olympic cycling champion conducted herself in her first ride in a point-to-point and will now look to give her another go in a fortnight.
He said: "It was very pleasing. It was a competitive little race. She gave him a very good ride and she pulled up two out, which was very sensible.
"She rode him sensibly, the ground was a little soft for him, but, having said that, he jumped brilliantly. She enjoyed it and it was a very good start for her first ride over fences.
"I should think we will look at entering horses in the next couple of weeks. Now we've got the first ride under the belt which is very important, I should we'll be looking at a couple of weeks to see if we can get her on a racecourse again and have another go in a point-to-point.
"The most important thing was that we got her good race experience. The horse jumped well, she rode him well and now we've got that first ride under her belt."
reopens Even though Minella Theatre had to be pulled up, Pendleton expressed delight at having made her competitive debut over fences. She tweeted: "Really enjoyed my first race over jumps @BlackForestLod1 today x."
